Show, Don't Tell: Skills-Based Hiring with Charles Kransberger

In this episode of Job Search for High-Performing Misfits, Melissa Vining is joined by vocational rehabilitation counselor and workplace neurodiversity consultant Charles Kransberger for a powerful conversation about why traditional hiring methods fail so many brilliant, capable people — especially those who are neurodivergent — and what to do instead.

Together, they explore a better way forward: skills-based hiring. Instead of relying on gut feelings, small talk, or “vibes” in interviews, Charles advocates for giving candidates the opportunity to show their skills through project-based assessments, portfolios, and real-world examples — creating a more inclusive, effective, and practical hiring process for both job seekers and employers.

If the usual interview process has never really worked in your favor, this episode will help you rethink how you show your skills and find spaces where you can truly do your best work.

What You’ll Learn:
• Why traditional interviews often fail qualified candidates
• What skills-based hiring really looks like in practice
• How to build and use a simple interview portfolio
• How to identify green flags for neuroinclusive workplaces
• When (and when not) to disclose neurodivergence at work
• How environment and flexibility impact performance and burnout

Guest Bio:
Charles Kransberger is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and workplace neurodiversity consultant on a mission to create value for organizations and neurodistinct professionals. His career in the disability and neurodiversity space has spanned technology start-ups, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, universities, non-profits, and entrepreneurship. Charles is passionate about helping businesses embrace authentic neuroinclusion by elevating and amplifying neurodistinct perspectives, and by demonstrating the compelling “business case” for cultivating an organizational culture where minds of all kinds belong and contribute to the level of their capabilities. Charles envisions a future of work where scalable, authentic neuroinclusion propagates within company cultures, human capital strategies, and tech-enabled solutions. During his evenings and weekends, Charles helps neurodistinct students and professionals take the next step on their career journey through 1-on-1 career counseling.

Connect with Charles:
  / charles-kransberger-ma-crc-1363961a7  
https://app.wiztherapy.com/intake/Vuu...
https://www.nitw.org/job-seekers#tale...

Episode Timestamps:
00:36 – Meet Charles Kransberger
03:43 – “The job wasn’t the right fit” vs. “I’m the problem”
05:23 – The “spiky profile” and a strengths-based lens on neurodivergence
07:00 – Preparing for support needs across environments
08:56 – Self-advocacy without formal accommodations
10:15 – Neurodivergent identity and workplace culture
11:15 – How neurodiversity at work has evolved since 2013
12:25 – Signs of a neuroinclusive organization
14:10 – Why inclusion is better for everyone (system design)
16:11 – Skills-based hiring vs. traditional interviews
17:07 – What project-based hiring looks like in real life
19:13 – Using a portfolio to support interview success
22:23 – Why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution
25:50 – Burnout, remote work, and work environment fit
27:59 – Disclosure: risks, rewards, and personal choice
31:44 – Financial realities vs. ideal conditions
33:16 – A message for managers and leaders
35:08 – Neuroinclusion as a leadership advantage
36:54 – Where the movement stands in 2025
37:22 – Where to find Charles

P.S. If you’ve found this episode helpful and want to support the podcast, ⁠buy me a coffee here⁠! Your support helps me keep creating content that helps high-performing misfits find work that fits. https://buymeacoffee.com/melissavining